Hybrid color MR imaging display.

A novel computer-image processing method is described that combines and displays the data from two different MR sequences of the same anatomic slice in a single color image. The pixel intensities from one image are assigned varying spectral hues while the luminance of these hues is derived from the intensities of corresponding pixels of a second spatially aligned image. This technique provides a two-dimensional resolvable contrast scale that may produce images of improved information content. The versatility of the method, termed hybrid color display, is demonstrated by using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, chemical-shift, and gradient-recalled-acquisition-into-steady-state (GRASS) images. This technique may facilitate MR interpretation by enhancing anatomic and pathologic conspicuity and by expediting review.